Forbes recently released its list of top American Idol earners from 2012.

Kelly Clarkson tops the list – moving up from fifth place in 2011 – with $8 million in earnings. Kelly can thank her "gold" album Stronger, appearances on The Voice, Toyota commercial, and successful tour for her success.

Kelly stole the number one spot away from Carrie Underwood. This year, Carrie shares the number two spot with Chris Daughtry's band Daughtry – with $5 million in earnings. Forbes reports that Carrie and Chris each earn six figures for one single concert. It must be nice to be an American Idol!

Even with dismal ratings, American Idol (please go gently into that good-night…) still remains in the news. This time, the long-running reality show is facing a potential lawsuit brought by nine former contestants who are claiming that the show and its producers are giant racists. So, there's that.

I'm going to go out on a limb right now and say that I don't think the show or its practices exude any type of racism. If I'm wrong Jennifer Hudson is having the best last laugh ever. Factoring in the voters, the fans, and the singers, it would take a lot to skew the show in the direction of racism. To me it sounds like a bunch of sour yet talented former contestants who didn't find the fame they'd hoped when getting the boot prior to the finale. Just fade into obscurity like the rest of them…heck, Taylor Hicks won his season, and who even knows what he's up to these days! (Apparently, he's headlining his own show in Vegas, but more on that after the jump 🙂 I know, right?)

It's that time of the week again – photo post time! Let's check in with our favorite reality TV stars to see what they've been up to since last week!! Thanks to Fashion Week festivities, it's a huge one!

Above we have Bethenny Frankel attending a Skinnygirl Solutions event during Fashion's Night Out 2012 at Macy's.

It seems the judges’ decision to use their one time save early on this season came back to hunt them.

In what is being called one of the most shocking eliminations in American Idol history, fan favorite Pia Toscano, 22, was sent packing on Thursday night.

After being in the bottom three with StefanoLangone, and JacobLusk, host Ryan Seacrest announced Pia had been eliminated from the show.

Everyone, especially the judges, were shocked at Pia’s exit. “I have no idea what just happened here. I’m shocked, I’m angry…I don’t even know what to say,” said a tearful Jennifer Lopez. “A mistake is one thing, but lack of passion is unforgivable,” said Steven Tyler chiding the home audience for failing to vote for Pia.

“I’m gutted. You’re one of the best singers in this!” added Randy Jackson. Even the twitterverse was up in arms with many fans, celebs and past Idol contestants voicing their disappointment. “I can not believe they just eliminated pia ! ReAlly..???? Long as she walked away with that voice she will be alright !! Just hate to see talent like that go!” tweeted Jennifer Hudson.

Pia remained a trooper as she closed the show with a performance of “I’ll Stand By You,” receiving a standing ovation following her performance. She broke down in tears after the song as her fellow contestants rallied around her.

Pia’s exit makes the fifth consecutive female eliminated from the show this season. None of the men have been eliminated with only two girls remaining in the top eight now, almost guaranteeing a male will win the show.

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON PIA’S ELIMINATION? DID THE JUDGES MAKE AN ERROR IN USING THEIR SAVE TWO WEEKS AGO?

How hard was it keeping your pregnancy under wraps? “David and I were the only people who knew for a long time. I would forget I was pregnant, it was so easy. I didn’t have any morning sickness, no cravings either. I just thought, ‘Oh, well, we’ll wait until it’ll tell on itself.’ I didn’t show until I was seven months so that made it easy right there.”

Has his personality emerged yet?

“He has a lot of personality, like David. He’s always been a good sleeper. His favorite time to smile now is diaper changes. Or when he spits up on you – he just cracks up like he thinks it’s the funniest thing. And his bottle is his pacifier. With a pacifier, it’s like he knows, ‘Ain’t nothing come out of here. No, I don’t want that. Where’s the real deal?’ His best friend is that bottle; that’s all he wants.”

Sources say, Jennifer was looking forward to starting a family with David. “I definitely want a family,” the 27-year-old told Access Hollywood earlier this year. “You know, I’m almost 30 now, so we gotta get started sometime.”

Report of Jennifer’s pregnancy came seven months following the tragic deaths of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew, who were murdered last October.

We certainly wish both Jennifer and David the best with the newest addition to their family.

According to the The Chicago Tribune, Oscar-winning Dream Girls star, Jennifer Hudson is reported to be 7 months pregnant. A baby shower was held Saturday in her native town of Chicago. The shower was well attended by friends and family members.

Since the sex of the child wasn’t revealed most of the gifts were neutral colors. Jennifer who is engaged to I Love New York 2 contestant (and Harvard Law grad) David Otunga — told Access Hollywood earlier this year: “I definitely want a family. You know, I’m almost 30 now, so they gotta get started sometime.”

When asked about the wedding ceremony, she plans to keep it quiet and include her three dogs — Oscar, Grammy and Dream girl — in the ceremony. Oscar might be the ring bearer,” said the American Idol alum, who recently finished a tour with singer Robin Thicke. “We’ll send them down the aisle with a little tux.” Hudson tells USA Today that she wants a traditional and classy wedding surrounded by friends and family members.

The baby news comes seven months after the tragic deaths of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew, who were murdered late last year. Hudson returned to the spotlight in February after taking time off.